the matter and report to me to what extent they find this evil still 
exists and what means they have taken to down it? We should hke 
to add to our lists the names of more firms who are opposed to graft 
and of those who continue in this evil practice. 
In answer to the question: "Do you give commissions, gratuities 
or presents at Christmas or other times to professional gardeners?" 
I received thirty-six answers. 
Twenty-three firms — F. J. Rice, Glen Bros., F. H. Horsford, 
W. W. Hunt Co., Peter Henderson, The Conard& Jones Co., Hoopes 
Bros. & Thomas, Hobbs & Son, Chase Bros., Julius Roehrs Co., 
Joseph Breck Corporation, I. E. Ilgenfritz Sons Co., Storrs & Harrison 
Co., The Chase Nursery Co., The W. H. Moon Co., B. H. Tracy, 
Wyomissing Nurseries, W. Atlee Burpee, Leesly Bros., Childs Bros., 
Fraser Nursery Co., W. & T. Smith Co., American Forestry Co. — 
rephed briefly in the negative. 
Three firms gave less positive answers as follows: 
C. W. Stewart, Newark. 
"Why do the employers of professional gardeners employ the 
caHber of men that frequently expect commissions, gratuities or 
presents?" 
The Elm City Nursery Co., New Haven. 
" We do not encourage sales by commissions, gratuities or presents 
to professional gardeners, though there have been some exceptions 
to this rule. This is a 'hard nut to crack' for the merchant." 
The Bay State Nurseries, North Abington. 
"We give no commissions, gratuities or Christmas presents in 
order to secure orders. Our business is conducted on straight fines 
as far as we know how to do it." 
Replies from ten other nurserymen who have gone into the 
question more in detail and heartily condemn the practice of paying 
commissions are given in full. They show that this form of corrup- 
tion injures the dealer, the employer and the employees, and that 
where it has become prevalent both in this country and in England 
it has been forbidden by law. 
H. P. Kelsey, Salem, Mass. 
"I have never yet given a commission, gratuity or other con- 
sideration whatever to any gardener, superintendent or other 
employee but have been working for many years to have concerted 
action among all the trade to eliminate this pernicious practice. A 
great difficulty comes in the winking at this process by the customer. 
The nurseryman who does not give commissions is at best under 
great disadvantage, for most gardeners who accept commissions 
sooner or later will neglect stock purchased from such nurserymen 
